1. The finest-quality braided area rugs are made from wool; durable braided rugs are also available in cotton and synthetic fabrics. These braided area rugs can be hand-crafted or machine-crafted, which, along with sizing, effects pricing.
2. You get what you pay for in braided area rugs; a well-constructed braided rug will last for many years. Most braided rugs are reversible, giving you twice the value for your dollar.
3. Trying to clean dirt and dust from a braided area rug by shaking or beating it damages the fabric, breaks threads, and can stretch braided rugs out of shape. Instead, vacuum braided area rugs regularly, using a high setting on your vacuum.
4. Stains on colorfast braided area rugs can be cleaned using a white cotton cloth and a solution of 2 cups warm water, 1/2 teaspoon Woolite, and 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar. Work the solution into the stain, rinse, blot with a clean cloth, and dry by fan or cool setting of a hair dryer.
5. Placing non-skid pads under braided area rugs prevents sliding and prolongs the life of the rug. Non-skid pads keep abrasive dirt and grit (that can wear out fibers) away from the underside of your braided area rugs.
6. All that is needed to repair a braided rug is a needle, thread, fabric, and scissors. Unbraid at the worn area, cut away all of the worn fabric, splice a new fabric strip in place of the old braid, and sew the re-braided section in place.
7. New braided rugs may unroll wrinkled and may not lay completely flat. Using a broom and a sweeping motion, work half of the wrinkle to the left, and the other half to the right, coaxing the new rug into laying flat without stretching it out of shape.
8. Extend the life of your braided rugs by rotating them every 6 months, especially in high-traffic areas and at the front of sofas and chairs. Reversing your braided area rugs will also help them wear more evenly.
9. Imperfections contribute to the beauty of braided area rugs. Occasionally, small shoots of yarn will pop up to the surface of the rug, but they do not affect the quality or life of the braided rug.
10. With wear, threads of braided area rugs can break, causing a row of braids to separate. Repair immediately using a curved needle, strong quilting thread, and a medium-length whipstitch.
